HEALTH NET THE FIRST HMO IN STATE TO PAY FOR CHINESE TREATMENTS In ancient China, a person suffering from chronic lower-back pain or arthritis might have gone to an acupuncture specialist for a treatment and a prescription of Duhuojishnfang, a 12-herb formula that works by relaxing the muscles and improving circulation. Beginning Sept. 1, members of Woodland Hills-based Health Net will be covered for the same treatment, if their employers choose to pay for a new add-on that the insurer will begin offering statewide. Health Net is the first HMO in California to receive approval from the Department of Corporations to offer coverage for acupuncture and herbal supplements. The decision to offer the coverage came after patient prodding, member research and some favorable studies by the National Institutes of Health, which showed acupuncture works to treat chronic back pain, rehabilitate stroke victims, relieve headaches and cramps and alleviate a host of other problems, said Health Net spokeswoman Lisa Kalustian. “Our research shows there’s a growing demand,” Kalustian said. “We know consumers are interested in it because we’ve had customers asking for it.” Health Net’s coverage will be administered through San Diego-based American Specialty Health Plans, which contracts with a statewide network of accredited acupuncture specialists. American Specialty’s primary business has been offering discounts on chiropractic and acupuncture treatment to employer groups around the state.